freshclam(1) Clam AntiVirus freshclam(1)
NAME
freshclam - update virus databases
SYNOPSIS
freshclam [options]
DESCRIPTION
freshclam is a virus database update tool for ClamAV.
OPTIONS
Freshclam reads its configuration from freshclam.conf. The settings can be overwritten
with command line options.
-h, --help
Output help information and exit.
-V, --version
Print version number and exit.
-v, --verbose
Be verbose. This option causes freshclam to print much additional information.
--quiet
Be quiet - output only error messages.
--no-warnings
Don't print and log warnings.
--stdout
Write all messages to stdout.
-l FILE, --log=FILE
Write download report to FILE.
--datadir=DIRECTORY
Install new database in DIRECTORY. The directory must be writable for the 'clamav'
user or unprivileged user running freshclam.
-u USER, --user USER
Run as USER. By default (when started by root) freshclam drops privileges and oper-
ates as the 'clamav' user.
-d, --daemon
Run in a daemon mode. This option requires --checks. -p FILE, --pid=FILE Write
daemon's pid to FILE.
--no-dns
This option forces old non-DNS verification method (without a TTL delay).
-c #n, --checks=#n
Check #n times per day for a new database. #n must be between 1 and 50.
--daemon-notify=/path/to/clamd.conf
Notify the daemon about the new database. By default it reads a hardcoded config
file but you can use a different one. Both local and TCP sockets are supported.
-a IP, --local-address=IP
Use (local) IP for HTTP downloads. Useful for multi-homed systems. If binding fails
for whatever reason, a warning is issued and freshclam behaves like without this
flag.
--on-error-execute=COMMAND
Execute COMMAND if error occurred. Remember, that virus database freshness is the
most important thing in anti-virus system. With this option freshclam can alert you
(eg. send SMS) when something is going wrong.
--on-update-execute=COMMAND
Execute COMMAND after successful update.
--on-outdated-execute=COMMAND
Execute COMMAND when freshclam reports outdated version. In the command string %v
will be replaced by the new version number.
--list-mirrors
Print mirror details from mirrors.dat (cache file for the mirror manager).
--submit-stats[=/path/to/clamd.conf]
Upload detection statistics to the ClamAV Project (see freshclam.conf(5):SubmitDe-
tectionStats for more details). No database update will be performed. This option
only works in the interactive mode.
EXAMPLES
(0) Download database to default directory:
freshclam
(1) Download database to current directory:
freshclam --datadir=.
(2) Run as a daemon and check 2 times per day for new database:
freshclam -d -c 2
RETURN CODES
0 : Database successfully updated.
1 : Database is up-to-date.
40: Unknown option passed.
50: Can't change directory.
51: Can't check MD5 sum.
52: Connection (network) problem.
53: Can't unlink file.
54: MD5 or digital signature verification error.
55: Error reading file.
56: Config file error.
57: Can't create new file.
58: Can't read database from remote server.
59: Mirrors are not fully synchronized (try again later).
60: Can't get information about 'clamav' user from /etc/passwd.
61: Can't drop privileges.
62: Can't initialize logger.
FILES
/etc/freshclam.conf
CREDITS
Please check the full documentation for credits.
AUTHOR
Tomasz Kojm <>
SEE ALSO
clamd(8), clamdscan(1), clamscan(1), sigtool(1), clamd.conf(5), clamav-milter(8)
ClamAV 0.94.2 February 12, 2007 freshclam(1)
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